Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-10
PHILADELPHIA AND SACRAMENTO
CHINATOWNS.

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remarkable event has happened in
Philadelphia. Remarkable, because the
East has so uniformly tip-tilted lis nose
at Californis complaints of Chinese quar-
strs, and persistently replied to our plea
that the Chinatowns Of the State are abomi-
nations of the worst order: 1T is your
own fault; YOU should compel the Chinese
to obey the law and conform to ordinances
OF cleanliness and sanitary precaution."
But IN New York il has been demon
straied that the authorities have been un-
able io compel compliance with the law by
Chinese. and now comes reputable Phila-
delphia citizens in body petitioning their
local Legislature to declare the Chinese
quarter in that city a nuisance and order
Its removal. The petitioners, as will be
seen by dispatch elsewhere published,
prefer precisely the same complaints with
which Caiifornians are so familiar. and
which the latter have so often made in
vain, and for which the good Samaritans
OF the East have so steadily condemned us
1t Is never pleasant to make record of.
the nisfortunes of others, nor does anyone
of sensibility delight in the suffering Of
another; yet, it is certain that there will
be entertained here some feeling of cratif-
cation that the Philadelphians are afflicted
with e genuine Chinese quarter, since by
thls crucifixion we may expect to secure
talrer hearing and just judgment in the
high Court of public opinion on the At
lantic side. The Philadelphians ask their
authorities to abolish their Chinatown. in
spirit that bespeaks confidence in the
ability Of the city Government TO do it
The RBcoRD-UNIoN has expressed the be-
ilef that the same power resides in our
local legislature. The Chinese quarter of
Sacramento is stumbling block in the
path OF the city's progress 1t is the first
scene that greets the vision Of the visitor,
and the last in his memory, and the entire
procession of travel by rail is compelled TO
look upon its indecencies, dilapidation and
filth. OF course, the impressions are not
conducive of good opinions being formed
of Sacramento.
This Journal has suggested a practicable
plan foI removing the offense. 1t has been
held by profound jurists TO be lawful
method, and the best financial Judgment
pronounces it feasible and a safe invest
ment Why nothing is done in the wav of
at least looking into the matter and ex
amlnlng the proposition we do not pretend
to explain. The Chinatown agitation as
regularly comes to the front as the recur-
renee of spring, year after year. and vet
not single step has been taken in the
lines of reform. In one year the health
authorities enforced a degree of cleanli
ness Of premises in the Chinese quarter,
but II was q difficult task, and evidently so
disheartening that no one has since cared
10 undertake any thorough work in that
secticn
Now IT is not difficult matter to be rid
OF tins glaring oflense. Let the city, as it
has the power to do, widen. / street from
Second to Fifth, northward 100 feet, to the
alley, for public park and street purposes.
The property must be condemned to do
this, and be paid for at valuation to be
determined in Court. The aggregate, how
ever, would not exceed S35 900 or SAC, 900
anu this the people would vote for upon
tln h.cia .Df
term @ years. The cost would really be
a wise investment, since it would return to
the city by reason of the enhanced values
OF ali other property contiguous, The
street cleared on the north side, that upon
the south would be too valuable for Chi
nese occupancy, and at least its occupants
could be then brought under subsection to
local regulation, so that the frontage would
not be so offensive to view The property
on III street, between Second and Fifth
would have double frontage and much
greater value; the banks of the slough.
cleaned and grassed, would no longer pre-
sent to our visitors revoltiug sight; fill
ing would be induced, and eventually we
should have level park facing the depot,
which would be of high value to the city,
not only for adornment, but for City Hall
purposes market quarters, etc These, in
time, we must have, for the present make
shifts for City Hall, rooms for CITY
Courts, city prison, Receiving Hospital,
etc, are neither creditable nor convenient.
They must ultimately be abandoned, and
their value put into buildings more in
keeping with the demands of public busi-
mess and the Importance of the city. There
can be no lawful interposition of objections
to supplanting Chinatown with broad
street, park or grounds for public con-
venience and needed public structures.